Wiggins crashes on Tour stage start

Sky’s Bradley Wiggins crashed immediately after stage five of the Tour de France started today in Épernay.

“He’s in a little bit of pain,” said the team, “but OK”

The crash happened shortly after 12:30, seven kilometres into the 9.8 kilometres of neutral zone prior to kilometre zero. Wiggins landed on his right side, the same side he crashed on during Monday’s rain-soaked stage to Spa.

Today, he re-joined the rest of the riders before the official start of the race. The 187.5-kilometres stage to should be an ‘easy’ one for Wiggins as it is flat and suits the sprinters.

Wiggins focus is on the general classification and the mountain stages ahead, starting with Saturday’s stage to Station de Rousses. He currently sits 14th in the classification, 1’49” behind Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank).

Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas is second overall, at 23 second back, and wears the white jersey of best young rider.